This is the quintessential Brownsville historical attraction. If you are looking for a prize of…read morelocal history you cannot find anywhere else then look no further

I have heard of Nemacolin Castle, but had thought it was near the resort by the same name. It…read morewasn't until I entered the address into the GPS that I learned it is located in Brownsville. Husband and I decided to visit when the Christmas tour was offered. We got a history lesson on the man who founded a trading post and built the castle. The Bowman family was quite influential in the area. It is impressive to be made aware of the history behind the family and the home. The home is managed by the historical society and volunteers. It would be great if they would get some additional funding for restoring the home. Right now, they rely on donations and admission fees to maintain the upkeep. There are areas of sagging floors and peeling wallpaper. It is fortunate that most of the furniture items were actually owned and used by the family. The piano is beautiful and one of the first to come to the area. The home was decorated for the Christmas holiday. Admission is $15 for adults and tickets may be purchased online or at the door. On busy times, I would recommend reservations. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We were in a tour of about 18-24 people which was too large of a group. The some of the rooms were small and we were crammed in to hear the guide. Still, it was a nice way to spend a rainy Saturday before Christmas. I want to return when they have a haunted tour next fall.

Mr. Furley has his own statue in Morgantown! OK, it's actually Don Knotts, but to me, he will…read morealways be the landlord in Three's Company, on his way to the Regal Beagle to pick up some hot chicks. Don Knotts was born and raised in Morgantown, went to school at West Virginia University, and started his career as a ventriloquist at the Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown. His statue sits outside of the theatre building. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would guess that Don is probably one of the most famous people to come out of this West Virginia town. Certainly the most famous person from Morgantown to wear ascots and polyester leisure suits on television. The statue is on a busy one-way street, but you'll need to park across the street at one of the metered spots, or in one of the parking lots. This is a busy college town, so finding parking can be a chore, but Ralph Furley is worth the little bit of effort.

Any fan of Don Knotts should make the trek here in Morgantown, which was the TV legend's hometown…read more It was unveiled here in 2016 in front of the theatre where he started out as a ventriloquist. He of course would become best known for his roles on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Three's Company" and others. But he always had the goofy look that even though no one took very seriously, was still lovable and is a reminder of how he always made us laugh. It's on a busy downtown street, but its not far from a paid lot.

If you haven't heard of the Woodville Plantation before, please read my previous reviews. This…read morehistoric plantation was established in 1775, and the house was built in 1785, and is located along Rt. 50 between Carnegie and Bridgeville. Although a lot of their events have been virtual over the past pandemic year, you can still tour the grounds in person, and soon they will be starting house tours and special events again later this season (check their website for details). This small piece of what once was a huge Virginia-style plantation, is like having a miniature Colonial Williamsburg right in our own backyard. The highlight this year is the new 1800s era timber-frame barn which is currently being constructed by an Amish crew (see photos). When finished, this barn will add an additional historical aspect to the property, and also provide more space for events. If you are a fan of history, do check this place out ... Cheers!

From the owner: Enjoy a guided tour of this National Historic Landmark and learn more about the Whiskey Rebellion,…read moreJohn Neville, and 18th Century Pittsburgh & Western Pennsylvania history. We also have special events. Open seasonally April through November on Sundays afternoons, 1-4pm. Self-guided tours of the grounds are available at all times.

Not a lot to see, but if you love seeing historical sites like I do, you'll want to stop by. This…read morecute little schoolhouse is just off of Brady's Run in Beaver. The actual museum is only open June-August on Sundays, but it's easy enough to peek into the windows if you're there during the off-season as I was.

We are all into the Whiskey Rebellion History as it's enriched in our area from the 17th century. I…read moredo not remember this being taught in school, in which it should have been. The Oliver Miller Homestead stands as a poignant reminder of a pivotal moment in American history: the Whiskey Rebellion. Nestled in South Park Township, Pennsylvania, this meticulously preserved site offers visitors a glimpse into life during the late 18th century and sheds light on the events that unfolded during this turbulent period. As I walked through the homestead, I couldn't help but feel transported back in time. The rustic charm of the buildings, coupled with the serene natural surroundings, created an atmosphere steeped in history. The knowledgeable guides provided captivating insights into the daily lives of early settlers, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced. However, it was the connection to the Whiskey Rebellion that truly captivated my attention. The Oliver Miller Homestead played a significant role during this uprising, serving as a meeting place for local farmers and distillers who vehemently opposed the newly imposed whiskey tax. It was here that the seeds of rebellion were sown, as tensions simmered and resistance to government authority grew. In addition where the first shots were fired during the whiskey rebellion. Worth visiting when its in season and fully opened to the public

There's a lot to see at this historical homestead in South Park. It's the site where the first…read moreshots of the Whiskey Rebellion were fired, and the volunteers have done a wonderful job of making these historial events come alive. There's a beautiful spring house, a blacksmith shop, and a colonial home. The admission is quite reasonable, this is a great way to spend an afternoon. Also of note are the programs, which take place on Sundays, such as Wool Day, Summer Flax Festival, Revolutionary War Encampment, and more.

Pleasant little trip into 1830's roadside tavern history (and more history of the National Road,…read morecomplimenting some of the history at next door's Fort Necessity visitors' center), such as what sort of people traveled, how they traveled, what they could afford to eat, and how they slept (uncomfortably and sharing space with strangers).

The previous two Yelpers certainly explained the tavern well enough but I'm going to throw in a few…read moredetails that they overlooked. First and foremost is that it's an oddity of history that George Washington came to own the land on which he fought his first battle. He fought his first battle at Fort Necessity right down the hill from where the tavern stands in 1754. As history will tell you, things didn't turn out so well for young Colonel Washington. But the area stuck with Washington and fifteen years after his defeat at Fort Necessity he came back to buy the land consisting of 234 1/2 acres in southwestern Pennsylvania. The tract of land was called "Mount Washington" and embraced the Great Meadows. However, little did he know then that this tract would later boast a tavern whose story would live for generations. Although Washington never lived to see his land flourish, he knew it would be an excellent site for an inn. Soon after his death the first federally funded road was laid down through this country, crossing the Mount Washington tract, thus proving his speculations correct. Travelers stopping at the Mt. Washington Tavern were pleased to find a commodious brick and stone tavern of eleven rooms in two stories, with an attic and basement. Built around 1827 by Judge Nathaniel Ewing of Uniontown, the Tavern was operated by James and Rebecca Sampey and did a lively business from the time it opened. Four conditions were prevalent at this inn: the place was clean, the food was good, the landlady was civil and her husband was sober. The building was an inn for only a short period of time from its construction in 1827-8 to 1855 when the importance of The National Road declined due to railroad construction. It was then used as a private home until 1932 when the Commonwealth of PA purchased it and eventually the NPS acquired it in 1961 while making the building part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Today the tavern serves as sort of a museum of what life would have been like traveling the National Road in the mid-19th century. The tavern is open seasonally from April-November normally the same hours as the visitors' center but in particular thanks to the lingering effects of the Sequester, that is subject to change and you should call before coming as the hours are not updated on the nps.gov site.

I've been wanting to visit this place since I was a kid. I finally got there. They are doing a lot…read moreof work on the building so unfortunately, a lot of the building was covered with scaffolding which was unfortunate and they were offering refunds, but this was only time to get there so I went. I did the guided house tour which was great. The lady who did the tour was very knowledgeable. I appreciate that they give you ear pieces so you can hear and don't need to feel like you need to be so close to the guide to hear. Unfortunately, there was a medical emergency (ambulances and all) so we could not get to the 3rd floor, but they did let us see the staff quarters instead which I do not believe was part of our tour initially. They had a really nice gift shop as well. They also had a café but I did not look into there so I do not know exactly what was being offered. I would love to visit again once the scaffolding and tarps are gone. Regardless, this place is very peaceful and just beautiful inside and out.

It's hard for me to convey why visiting this landmark was so significant for me. I was a lad of 12…read morewhen I saw pictures of this house in a coffee table book about Frank Lloyd Wright in a mall bookstore. I remember because I was so drawn to the aesthetic of the building. It initiated my attraction to open living spaces, mid-century modern design, and organic architecture. All these decades later, I made it, and the sight of the house actually made me tingle. I said tingle, not tinkle. That happened in the surprisingly spacious restroom at the visitor center before the tour. Built in 1935 for Pittsburgh department store magnate Edgar J. Kaufmann and his family as a vacation home, the unprecedented cantilevered construction is a 4 bed / 4 bath that would've been pooh-poohed by the more obnoxious wannabe buyers on "House Hunters". The main house is 9,200 square feet of which 4,400 are outdoor terraces. Outdoors is where Edgar's worldly wife Liliane threw parties for their friends. However, the key draw of the multilevel terraces was the sound and sights of the Bear Run stream underneath. Except for the Kaufmann's impressive art collection, there is nothing ornate about the two-tone house of light ochre and Cherokee red. The innovative design elements speak for themselves like the glass-enclosed staircase down to the stream. Given my longstanding desire to come here, I went for the $89 In-Depth Guided Tour which ran well over ninety minutes and gave us full access to the house interior and the surrounding grounds including the guesthouse and the gardener's cottage (now used as staff offices). Our guide Larry did a fine job sharing the history behind all the architectural details of Wright's idiosyncratic design and uncompromising commitment to organic compatibility. Be aware that the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy started a major $7 million preservation project in 2023 and it's not due to be complete until next year (fingers crossed). The advanced age of the structure had caused leaks, cracks, and corrosion, so repairs are still underway. However, some of the house was still covered with scaffolding with terrace access a bit limited. It didn't bug me though because we're talking about checking off a major bucket list item for me. RELATED - Exploring Pittsburgh? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/qN_tq21lnL

I recently photographed a wedding at the Scenic View. The grounds are really beautiful and the…read morelookout trumps all. There's a tower up a long, winding road, but you don't even need to go up into the tower to see the gorgeous mountain view. The landscape is breathtaking, I'm sure, during any time of the day. But we went up at sunset after a storm and it was nothing short of spectacular. I cannot wait to get back to Penn's Scenic View for the view alone!

Penn's Scenic View is such a beautiful place. My large family would go up every year and rent out…read morethe Stable Lodge there. Of course, I loved being with my family. However, I loved going for walks in the area. It's such an amazing experience. Peace, quiet, utter bliss... what more could you ask for? If you walk up this dirt road, you'll encounter a wooden tower on a hill. If you walk up the tower, you can take in the breathtaking view. A full 360° of trees. It's all picture-worthy. You truly won't be disappointed. You can continue to walk around to discover new things. There's a lake next to the Lakeside Lodge. I would always see weddings take place at the lake from the Stable Lodge. It was really nice to see something like that. Unfortunately, this place is private property. You can't just walk in willy-nilly. We rented out a cabin, that's the only reason we were granted access. The place is being sold. It's up for around $1.3 million dollars. Therefore, we can't rent out the Stable Lodge anymore. The whole place is gated off. I wish I could go back up there, just one last time. It's truly amazing. That place means a lot to me. My family has been going up there since I was a baby, and I'm 17. A lot of memories are kept there. It's also the place where I found myself. I would do whatever I could to go up there just one last time. I want to share the experience with my girlfriend. I would pay that $1.3 million to go back up there. If you're lucky enough to visit the 18 acres of pure scenery, you won't be disappointed for even a second.